Merrimack County

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

The Census reports on the level of education attained by adults
age 25 and older. Our elderly population grew up in a time when education attainment was typically lower, and college attendance was less widespread. As this population is succeeded by younger and increasingly well-educated cohorts, the percent of the population that has attained higher levels of education slowly increases. Not only has the number of diplomas and degrees increased, but their percentage in the population has also increased, indicating a growth in attainment greater than the relative growth in national population.

Educational Attainment in Population 25 Years and Over, 1990-2000

1990

2000

Number

Percent of Total

Number

Percent of Total

Total Population Age 25+

78,633

100.00%

91,278

100.00%

Less than 9th grade

4,836

6.15%

3,611

3.96%

Some high school, no diploma

8,390

10.67%

7,198

7.89%

High school graduate*

25,210

32.06%

27,044

29.63%

Some college, no degree

13,906

17.68%

18,823

20.62%

Associate degree

6,339

8.06%

8,029

8.80%

Bachelor's degree

13,118

16.68%

17,126

18.76%

Graduate or professional degree

6,834

8.69%

9,447

10.35%

* "High school graduate" includes people with the G.E.D. and similar equivalents.